Quantum dots in Parkinson’s disease: A nanotechnological leap towards early detection and neuroprotective therapy

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a movement disorder that affects both motor and nonmotor functions. Primary motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, tremor, and postural instability, can progressively affect a PD patient's quality of life. However, various therapies are available, and disease-modifying and neuroprotective treatments are lacking, indicating the need for new therapeutic and diagnostic tools. Revolutionary progress in nanotechnology has enabled the development of nanoscale materials for biomedical applications. Among them, quantum dots (QDs) have great potential in research. Its fluorescent properties and flexible surface modification enable the early detection of PD biomarkers and aid in tracking disease progression while also facilitating targeted molecular and gene delivery with strong therapeutic potential. However, their toxicity, biocompatibility, and long-term safety remain hurdles before their clinical application. In the future, research should prioritize the development of advanced QDs with better biocompatibility, lower toxicity, and long-term safety. A synergistic approach toward QDs can be further explored by integration with other nanosomes, such as liposomes and polymers. While challenges persist, the convergence of nanotechnology and neuroscience offers a promising future for QDs, a revolutionary change in PD diagnosis and treatment. Despite this, sustained interdisciplinary research and rigorous clinical trials are needed to overcome the challenges that could highlight the full potential of QDs for the diagnosis and treatment of PD in the future. Unlike the existing reviews that emphasize either the therapeutic or diagnostic roles of QDs in neurological disorders or their synthesis or the biomedical application of QDs, this review outlines a broad integrative viewpoint on their multiple applications in PD.